Past Events › Policy Briefing Series
Events List Navigation
2021 ASEAN Summit: US Policy Toward Asia
On November 10, Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA hosted the virtual event, “2021 ASEAN Summit: U.S. Policy Toward Asia.” This event featured Ambassador David Shear, former U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam (2011-2014), for a discussion on the 2021 ASEAN and East Asia Summit, both of which took place in October.
Taiwan Crisis and Japan’s Strategy
On November 2, Sasakawa USA hosted the virtual event, “Taiwan Crisis and Japan’s Strategy,” featuring LTG Koichiro Bansho, JGSDF (Ret.), former Commander of the Western Army of Japan from 2013-2015, for a discussion on Japan’s perspective on the expectations and roles of the United States and Japan in a Taiwan contingency. General Chip Gregson, USMC (Ret.) provided a brief commentary from the American perspective.
2021 ASEAN Summit: Japan’s Viewpoint
On October 20, Sasakawa USA hosted the virtual event, 2021 ASEAN Summit: Japan’s Viewpoint, featuring Ambassador Masafumi Ishii, former Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia (2017-2020). Ambassador Ishii delivered a presentation on the strategic importance of ASEAN and its member states, Japan’s expectations ASEAN, and how Japan and the United States can expand cooperation with ASEAN.
Understanding the Role of Japanese Automakers and Suppliers in the U.S. Automotive Industry
On September 16, 2021, Sasakawa USA hosted a virtual event, “Understanding the Role of Japanese Automakers and Suppliers in the U.S. Automotive Industry,” featuring remarks by Mr. Manny Manriquez, General Director of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) U.S. Office, and Ms. Jennifer Heckmann, Senior Manager at DENSO. Mr. Manriquez and Ms. Heckmann emphasized the robustness and complexity of relationships Japanese automakers and suppliers’ have with communities in the United States, drawing attention to how their activities transcend economic ties to include support for improving educational opportunities, addressing environmental concerns, and supporting local humanitarian efforts.
USMC Force Design 2030: New Deterrence Strategy Views from Japan
On August 24, Sasakawa USA hosted a virtual event a keynote by LtGen. Koichi Isobe, JGSDF (Ret.), 37th Commander of the Eastern Army (2013-2015); and commentary provided by LtGen Chip Gregson, USMC (Ret.), Assistant Secretary of Defense, Asian and Pacific Security Affairs (2009-2011); and LtGen Larry Nicholson, USMC (Ret.), Commanding General of III Marine Expeditionary Force (2015-2018) discussing discussed what the USMC Force Design 2030 means to Japan from the Japanese perspective and its impact on the ever-important U.S.-Japan security alliance.
Japan’s Economic Security Strategy in the New Era
On July 9, 2021, Sasakawa USA welcomed the Hon. Akira Amari, the LDP Research Commission on Tax System Chairman. He discussed how a three-pronged approach of economic strategy, digital policy, and semiconductor strategy can strengthen Japan’s economic security strategy.
Soft Power and Morals in U.S. Foreign Policy
On June 10, 2021, Dr. Joseph S. Nye, Jr., Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus at Harvard University, and Sasakawa USA’s Advisory Committee member, joined Sasakawa USA for a discussion of the role of morals in U.S. foreign policy and the impact of soft power on international relations.
The State of U.S.-Japan Economic Relations:
What’s Working and What’s Needed
On May 20, 2021 Sasakawa USA welcomed Mr. Kenichiro Mizoguchi, Mr. Shinsuke Takahashi, and Ms. Misato Kogure, representatives of three Japanese private sector firms, for a discussion of U.S.-Japan economic ties in the context of the broader U.S.-Japan strategic partnership.
The Biden Administration’s Indo-Pacific Policy: American and Japanese Perspectives
On April 13, Sasakawa USA was pleased to welcome the Hon. Masashi Adachi, Special Advisor to Japanese Prime Minister Suga, the Hon. Randall G. Schriver, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Affairs, and Amb. Kurt Tong, a Partner at The Asia Group, for a discussion of how the Biden administration will approach the Indo-Pacific region.
Resiliency and Friendship: Reflections on 3.11
Sasakawa USA welcomed Ambassador John Roos, partner and Co-Founder of Geodesic Capital and U.S. Ambassador to Japan from 2009-2013, Ms. Susie Roos, Partner and CAO at Geodesic Capital, and Ms. Suzanne Basalla, President and CEO of U.S.-Japan Council and Senior Advisor to Ambassador Roos at the U.S. Embassy Tokyo from 2010-2012 to recount their personal stories of being in Tokyo during the March 11, 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, and in the days and months that followed. Ms. Shanti Shoji, Director of Programs at Sasakawa USA, provided opening remarks and moderated the event.